Indicating pocket ionization chamber



Feb. 26, 1952 J. A. vlcToREEN INDICATING POCKET IONIZATION CHAMBER Filed April 1e', 1948 3 Sheets-Sheetl l I INVENTOR- JOHN A. VICTOREEN Feb. 26, 952

Filed April 16, 1948 J. A. VICTOREEN INDICATING POCKET IONIZATION CHAMBER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 @Mi-#itil sSW//IM new l //0 EEE! /NVENTOR JOHN A. VICTOREEN Feb. 26, 1952l J, A, WC1-CREEN 2,5%?,254

INDICATING POCKET I ONIZATION CHAMBER Filed April 1e, 1948 5 sheets-sheet s Y fdd/v JOHN A. V/cToREEN Patenteci Feb. 26, 1952 INDICATIN G POCKET IONIZATION CHAMBER John A. Victoreen, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The Victoreen Instrument Company, Cleveland, Ohio Application April 16, 1948, Serial No. 21,408

(Cl. Z50-83.6)

16 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in instruments for the measurement of radiant energy, and more particularly to improvements in ionization chambers.

In connection with work in nuclear physics, or for that matter, any place where radiant energy such as alpha, beta, gamma or X-rays are apt to be present, it is desirable to provide means for determining the quantity of such rays to which a person may have been subjected over a period of time, with a view to preventing the person from being subjected to a great quantity of rays which may be injurious to health.

Heretofore, many devices have been proposed for determining the quantity of rays to which a person was subjected, One such device is illustrated and described in my copending application for Ionization chamber, Serial No. 724,601, led January 27, 1947, wherein there is disclosed a so-called pocket ionization chamber.

Although many prior devices have been made for measuring or indicating the passage of the emanations mentioned, these instruments had certain disadvantages which the present invention overcomes.

The prior devices were usually relatively expensive and complicated apparatus, contemplating some kind of an ionization chamber and a device for indicating the state of charge thereon or, as in the case of the application mentioned above, included an ionization chamber which was separable fromthe indicating apparatus. In thel first instance, the apparatus was too heavy and cumbersome to be carried on the person and was such a device as was relatively delicate in itsv construction. The second device, although portable and highly practicable, had the disadvantage that the state of charge would not be determined without connecting the device to a separate instrument for reading the charge. Sofar as I am aware, no highly portable rugged device has been made wherein the state of charge can be determined without recourse to a separate instrument.

The present invention contemplates an extremely rugged device which may be carried on the person and on which the state of charge may be read at any time. This enables the person using it to determine the amount of radiation to which he has been subjected by merely looking at an indicator on the device. This may be done without the necessity of connecting this device to a separate indicating instrument.

Still another advantage of my invention resides in the provision of a device wherein the eiective volume of the ionization chamber may be made 2 to change during ionization. This enables a device to be made which is extremely sensitive for small radiations and wherein the sensitivity is decreased with prolonged radiation, which thus extends the range of measurements that may be made without causing the indicator to run 01T scale or completely discharging the ionization chamber.

Another advantage of the invention resides in the fact that the device may be charged without subjecting the interior to the ambient atmosphere, since it lends itself ideally to making a sealed unit which need never be opened except for repair.

Still other advantages of the invention, and the invention itself, will become more apparent from the following description of some embodiments thereof, which description is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and form a part of this specication.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of an embodiment of my invention;

- Fig. 2 is a View taken from a plane indicatedl by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direcjtion of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a vertical medial section illustrating -another form of my invention;

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the movable indicator element used in Fig. 3;

Fig. 4a is a modification thereof;

Fig. 5 is a vertical medial section of another form of my invention; Y

Fig. 6 is a plan view of another modified form of my invention;

Fig. 7 is a section taken along the line 1-1 Of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of a modified form of vane rotating means;

Fig. 9 is another arrangement of the device oi Fig. 8;

Fig. l0 is a view of a modiiied form of pivot structure for the vane;

Fig. 11 illustrates a manner of steadying' themovable vane;

Fig. 12 is a vertical m-edial'secton of a modiiication of the invention with the vane shown in elevation; and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary section thereof.

In the drawings like parts have been designated by like reference characters.

Broadly speaking, my invention includes an ionization chamber, a fixed Wall of which comprises one of the electrodes and the other electrede of which composes a movable vane.

The vane and wall, which constitutes the electrode, may be charged to a predetermined potential difference. Due to the electrical attraction be tween the vane and the wall, the vane is caused to assume a certain position. As the chamber is subjected to radiation, ionization takes place, causing the diiference in potential to -be reduced and resulting in a movement of the vane from the original charged positions. This enables the vane, or a pointer connected toit, to 4actually indicate the state of charge or discharge and, hence, the amount of radiation to which the chamber has been subjected.

One form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, wherein there is provided a container IU which may be of any suitable plastic or synthetic resin material and whereinthe top wall II should preferably be transparent. The container is provided with a quantity of liquid I2 filled to 4a level indicated at I3. The liquid should be of `an insulating characteristic, and preferably one that has a very high insulation value. Certain types of mineral oils, -or the socalled liquid silicones 4may be used. Supported in the containerby supports 'I5 is a metal cylinder I6. The supports may be spaced about the cylinder and connected to the walls, it being the object to support the same in a relatively rigid manner in the container Il). The container I@ can 'be square or cylindrical, its form having no particular effect upon the invention. The main desideratum being that it be fluid tight, of a con-conducting material, and at least one portion transparent.

Suspended in the cylinder and equally spaced from the walls thereof is a ball I'I. This ball is kcomprised of hollow semispherioal halves yIla and `I'Ib of thin lconducting material which are held together and in spaced relation b y a ring I8 of polystyrene or other good insulating material. The balls, halves -I'Ia and I'Ib, may be metal, such as aluminum, or other metal, or they may `also 'be of plastic and have ytheir inner surfaces, their inner and-outer surface, or just the outer surfaces, coated with a conductive material. In event the inner surface only is`coated, connections must be vbrought through to the outside which causes certain complications which are not present in the use of conducting materials. Furthermore, `the choice of materials will yalso be determined by the -kind of radiation to` be measured or detected.

The suspension 'of the ball Yis Veiected by a rod or wire like members 20 which are secured in the insulating vring I8 and are either journalled in the walls I) or if the member is flexible may be secured in the wall. When the members 20 are exible members and are secured into thewall, they are so fastened that the halves may normally be in a position as shown by the dotted lines I8 in Fig. l.

If the ball is suspended `for free Arotation, a weight 22 is provided which has'a tendency to rotate the ball to the position shown in I8'. In either event, `the ball, without anycharge on it, should .he provided with means which tends to rotate the ball so that the ring IB isoblique to the axis `ofthe cylinder I6.

Means is provided to apply a charge or to charge the separate halves, I'Ia and I'lb, to a difference in potential. in several ways. .For instance, the supporting members 20, if vmade of conducting material, could each be connected .by wires such as 23a to the opposite halves, in this case the members This could be effected.

20 would extend exteriorly of the walls I 0 and be adapted to have connections made thereto with a suitable source of potential. Obviously, certain precautions would have to be taken to insulate the connections exteriorly of the container to prevent current leakage.

A ,form of applying this difference in potential to the two halves IIa and Hb of the ball is illus- .trated in Fig. l. In this case, the end wall II-a is in the form of a corrugated disk, the circumferential `corrugation 2I providing the desired exibility. Secured in the walls IIa are a pair of contact members or pins 25 so disposed that when disk I,Ia is forced inward, each of the contact members -will provide electrical connection to each of the ball halves Ila and I'ib. The source of ycharging potential will be connected to the pins 25 exteriorly of the container.

I have stated that the container should have a uid therein. This is not, however, absolutely essential since 'the device could be made to operate without Ythe fluid. Furthermore, it may be desirable to -flll the container completely with fluid. The use of fluid has a desirable dampening eiect upon the motion of the ball, however, and in many instances will be preferred. It also relieves the weight of the ball in its bearings.

In operation, the interior ofthe ball constitutes an ionization chamber, it being =lled with air.

The two halves I'Ia and `I'Ib comprise the lelec trodes which make the ionization chamber.v

When the two halves are charged to a potential difference, the halves have a tendency to line up in the cylinder with the ring `I8 parallel to the axis of the cylinder; in this instance, perpendicular. This, as is apparent, is due to the well known laws of I*repulsion Vand attraction. The two ball halves being charged to opposite potentials cause the cylinder wall to assume an opposite charge in that part opposite .each of the discrete and oppositelychanged ball halves because of the proximity of the cylinder to the ball which causes "the oppositely charged ball halves-to Ybe attracted to the wall. The rotation being controlled, the ball rotates around the axis until the dividing line between the ball halves is perpendicular.- By carefully selecting the parameters of the device, a charge of a predetermined value, such as :50 or 100 volts, can be made to cause -theball to take a position wherein the separating Yring will lbe nearly if inot exactly parallel to theaxis of :the.cylinder. As 4Vthe device is subjected to radiation, the air inside the ball is ionized and the ypotential .diiference between the .two halves is lowered.

Lowering of the'potential ldifference decreases the attractionof'the walls to the cylinder and the ball will then move, either fby lthe-.weight 22 or through the torsion ofthe spring -supportslltoward and" eventually to tlieposition shown inthe dotted lines in Fig'. l which is theposition vtaken bythe ballwhen-there isno longerany vpotential difference 'between `the two halves.

Inasmuch as the =volumeof air inthe chamber may be predetermined, it is possible to calibrate the apparatus in Vunits such as roentgens. This is effected by placing Athe indicia 126 on the sur# face-0f vthe-ball. A line 2 maybe inscribed on the'cover -I'I for a reference point.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an exceedingly simple and economical indicating ionization chamber whichmay be designed to be carried on the person and wherein the state of charge may be 'determined at any time. It will be noted that the-manner -of vdischargegis similar to other ionization chambers, in that it is proportional to the amount of radiation. The indicating lines are likewise proportioned.

In Figs. 3 to 4a inclusive another embodiment of my invention is disclosed. This device is characterized by the provision of an ionization chamber, the eiective volume of which varies with ionization.

As best shown in Fig. 3, I provide a casing which is constructed of an insulated material and, like that of Fig. 1, is preferably provided with at least one wall that is transparent. Generally, the preferred construction includes a cylindrical side Wall 30 closed by flat end walls 3l and 32. The movable element in this instance takes the form of a flat wafer like hollow vane of insulating material, the upper flat surface 33 being of circular conformation. The bottom surface srl, which is held in spaced relation from the upper surface by the cylindrical side wall 35, is provided with an upwardly extending socket or detent 345. The vane iioats on a pool of mercury 38. A guide pin 39 embedded in the bottom wall 32 extends upward through the mercury pool into the detent 35, holding the vane in a centered position in the casing but allowing it to otherwise oat freely on the pool of mercury. This provides for an extremely free and substantially frictionless support for the vane. As best shown in Fig. 4, the upper surface of the vane, which constitutes the movable electrode for the ionization chamber, is formed with a pair of oppositely disposed quadrants of conducting material as indicated at iii). These surfaces may be formed of metal cemented to the upper side of the vane, deposited on the vane by electro-deposition or painted thereon. One substance particularly suitable for the surface is a solution of a colloidal graphite commonly known as aqua-dag.

The other electrode for the chamber, and in this instance the fixed or non-moving electrode, is formed by a partition i2 disposed intermediate the top walls and the top of the vane. This partition may likewise be coated with quadrants in appearance similar to that in Fig. 4. Preferably, the portion is provided with a central opening 43 through which a helical spring lill may extend, one end of the spring being secured to a pin or boss 4.5, and the other end being connected tc the vane and making electrical contact with the cono ductive surface on the vane.

The interior walls may likewise be provided with a conductive coating il which is electrically connected to the coating on the wall 42 as well as being in contact with the pool of mercury. The boss 5 is carried by a re-entrant portion 43 of the wall 3l, which is thus provided with a pocket in the wall above the boss d5. The upper end of this wall is closed by a circumferentially corrugated diaphragm 5G which carries at its center a contact pin 52. The centering pin 39 is provided with a lead wire which extends exteriorly of the bottom of the housing and` is oonnected to a contact disk 53 which may be cemented on or embedded in the wall 32.

It'has been pointed out that the conducting surface d0 of the vane and the conductive surface on the member 42 are of similar configuration except for the central opening t3 in the member d2. Preferably, these conducting portions on the two separate parts are insulated from each other. The tension on the hair spring d@ is so adjusted that when a charge of a predetermined Voltage is applied to these separate elements, the attraction of the charged parts causes the conducting portions on the movable vane to move opposite to or nearly opposite to the conducting portion on the upper electrode, against the winding tension of the spring 44. Thus, the position of the electrically conducting surface on the vane is determined by the value of the charge and the tension of the spring. The two separate conducting surfaces thus provide the electrode of an ionization chamber, one of which is movable.

When it is desired to charge the chamber, one side of a known potential source is connected to the electrode 53. The other side of the voltage source is connected to the contact member 52. Pressure is then applied to the contact 52, and the flexibility of the wall allows it to be forced down into contact with the boss i5, which is of conducting material, and the charge is then carried through the hair spring Sli to the movable vane. As the charge on the vane builds up the conductive portion of the movable vane moves into registry with the conductive portion on the fixed electrode. Having been charged, the pressure on the contact member 52 is removed and the charging source disconnected. The device is then ready for detection or measurement of radiation.

As the air between the electrodes is ionized by the radiation, the potential difference between the two electrodes is lowered and the hair spring rotates the movable vane so that the conductive surface thereon gradually moves out of registry with the conductive coating in the' fixed electrode.

It is to be particularly noted that when the maximum charge is on the vane, or when the greatest or maximum desired potential difference is present, that -the effectve area of the ionization chamber is greatest. However, as this potential difference is lowered and the electrodes move out of registry, the effective area changes. This has the effect that the sensitivity of the device is greatest immediately after charging and this sensitivity changes, becoming less sensitive, because of the decreased area, as the device is discharged. Therefore, the range of the measurements is extended materially.' This is an advantage in that over a period of time, when subject to radiation, the decrease in sensitivity enables a greater amount of radiation to be measured without complete discharge of the chamber since, as shown in the drawings, the movement of the vane will not be in direct proportion to the decrease in the charge.

A suitable line may be inscribed upon the upper surface of the container which can be read against markings in the vane. These markings can be on the non-conductive portion of the vane, as shown in Fig. 4. The construction lends itself to a simple system of determining the charge since the non-coated portion of the movable electrodes moves under the fixed electrode and, therefore, the indication can be determined by reference to the lines at the point where they line up with the edge of the iiXed electrode. An uncoated spot 41u. may be provided on the wall 3l in event the entire interior of the chamber is coated.

The structure also lends itself ideally to certain variations wherein the shape of the coating and the electrodes may be varied to extend or shorten the range of readings. For instance, if the vane were coated with a conformation, as shown at 1U-a in Fig. 4a, the range could be eX- tended, assuming that the direction of the moveas viewed in all of the gures.

` which includes a base 60 having an exteriorly threaded ring 6| thereon spaced from its periphery and adapted` for threaded engagement with the lower portion of the Skirt 62 of the cover 63. y

In this instance, thevmovable vane is supported between a pair of stationary electrodes. To this end, the cover is counterbored, as indicated at 64, to provide an upper downwardly facing shoulder 55. The upper electrode $1 is held against the shoulder by a spacer ring E8 of inverted L-shaped cross section, this ring being engaged by a second similar ring $9, and the lower electrode i being engaged by the threaded ring 6l which thus clamps the entire assembly securely in position. The spacer rings S8 and 69 being vL-shaped enable a large vane to be used. It will be appreciated that these two rings could be replaced by one solid ring if the movable vane was made smaller. The structure shown, however, not only enables a larger movable Vane to be used, but the vane isprevented from contacting with the stationary electrode by the toe portions of the L-shaped spacers 58 and 69.

The Vane is supported on a metallic pivot pin 1l which is carried by a boss 712 on the base. A

lead 13 extends from the pin, or for that matter,

The vane 'l1 preferablycomprises a disc of z.:

plastic or the like secured to a metal socket '15, the vane being secured to a peripheral flange 'i6 on the socket. The surface of the vane is provided with a conductive coating, if desired, on both sides, the coating taking a configuration which may be the same or similar to that shown in Figs. 4 or 4a. The socket 75 makes contact with the coating.

The stationary electrodes are likewise provided with a conductive coating similar to that described for the electrode A2 in Fig. 3. A hair spring 'i3 is secured to the socket 15 and has. the other end embedded in the plastic member 'i9 which may be provided with a slot tilt@ enable the tension on the hair spring to be adjusted.,

Contact with the. stationary electrodes 'for charging the same may be made by a lead 82 extending through the wall of the cover. I also nd that in some instances it may be desirable to coat theinterior of the case with a conductive coating. This is optional, however, for certain uses. In this event, the coating indicated at 84 covers the entire surface and side walls, ex-v cept for the boss12 and is also connected to the stationary electrode. The proximity of the vane to the stationary electrode affords the desired at-v traction, if the surface is coated, as described. A window 85 is provided by either a transparent portion of the wall or by leaving oi the coating in a small area at this point. The bottom of the recess 'I4 is closed by a corrugated metallic diaphragm 90 which carries a contactkpin 9i. 'I'his enables the contact pin to be pushed into contact with contact 13 on the lead i3, in a manner similar to that described for Fig.

The manner of operation is exactly the same asdescribed for Fig. 3. YThe device has the advantage, however, that its construction is somewhat cheaper because of the elimination 'or the mercury and is also better-adapted to carrying because there is no fluid Vto spill about the interior. In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown a Vplanzviewo'f a modied 4form of thedevice, wherein; the stationary electrodes are formed .integral with the wall of the casing. In this case the opposing walls are formed with bosses 70a of the same shape as the stationary electrodes in Figs. 3 and 5. The walls 'ida-.may be coated with a conductive material. If desired, the entire interior surface may be vcoated except for a window such as 85, of Fig. 5, then since .the Walls 70a are closer to the vane than the space intermediate the walls, the desired attractionto the vane is eiected. Connections are likewise vmade to the stationary electrodes by a lead 82. extending vthrough the wall and in electrical contact with the coating, whilethe connection to thevane is made through the flexible diaphragm and its contact 9| with the pivot support 'H for the Vane. Its operation is, otherwise, the same Aas that described.

So far, I have shown two manners by which the vane can be made to indicate, i. e., to cause it to rotate upon a decrease in the charge,.there being the force of gravity as shown in Fig. 1 and by the springs as shown in Figs. 3 to '7. The Vane can'also be caused to rotate and by, magnetic means if desired. In this case, no spring would be needed.

An extremely simple manner of operating the Vane magnetically and to thus replace the return spring is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8.

Here the stationary electrodes are illustrated at i, the movable electrode at lill. The socket IZ which supports the movableelectrode, and in turn is Vsupported by the pivot pin ID3 is either made of magnetic material orVr has secured to its upper end a small magnet IM of U-shape having the upwardly extending poles as indicated. TheV cover of the case also carries a magnet iii which has downwardly extending poles as indicated. The operation is obvious; since the like poles repel and the unlike poles attract, the tendency Yfor the vane is to be rotated by its magnet lll until the south pole lines up under the north pole of the magnet l which is iixed in its position. It will be apparent that the amount of attraction will depend on the distance the two magnets are apart.

Furthermore, it is not necessary that the two magnets extend in proximity to each other, for as shown in the fragmentary View of Fig. 9, the fixed magnet l @Sa could be disposed in the cover and would not extend into proximity to the socket magnet. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9,

the magnet ISa may be mounted in a disk H0 of plastic which may be adjustably rotated in a recess III in the cover. This enables the vane to be centered or adjusted, the same as with the spring.

At this point, it should be noted that the spring and the magnet being adjustable, they can both be adjusted so that the vane tends to stay between the stationary electrodes instead of rotated out from 'between the electrode when it is discharged. With such an adjustment, it enables the high degree of sensitivity to be maintained over the period until its complete discharge. That is, if theV magnet or spring is adjusted so that the vane stays between the electrode, it will not rotate out during discharge and, hence, the full capacityof the ionization chamber will be realized. Inl this case, when itis de-l sired to read the instrument, the spring adjust-- ing 'screw lof Fig. 5, or the magnet l06, must tion markings since the v may be rotated to the position where they would normally have been placed as described for the previous operation.

This would require a different set of calibradischarge in this instance-would not be affected by thefactor of a decreasing volume of ionization chamber. It

.l would thus be possible to have a single instrument wherein extreme sensitivity is realized at the start of ionization and the sensitivity de creases as ionization proceeds, or one where the sensitivity remains the same for the complete operation. Obviously, according to the second described use, it would not have the extended range realized by the rst described use.

I have found that with the more delicately balanced forms of the instrument, there is sometimes a tendency for the vane to tilt on its pivot `due to, the fact that one of its plates mayvmova when the instrument is moved or it is not level, closer to one of the stationary electrodes.

'of course,A depends on the structure.v places a strain yonthe form of the pivot This effect is undesirable becauseit pivot, increasing the friction and may cause certain variations or inconwheel of a watch. This is shown in Fig. wherein the vane is indicated in fragment at |0| being mounted on a staff IH which is supported between the bearings H2 and I|3 disposed in the cover H4 and base H5 respectively. The same means previously described may be used for determining the portion of the vane between the stationary electrodes.

Still another method of preventing tilting of the vane is illustrated in Fig. 11. Herein the structure disclosed is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 5. In this instance, however,

This

at |24. The vane may be constructed in several convenient forms. It may be plastic, having coated quadrants and |21 formed on .its opposite surfaces, or it may be. of thin metal such as brass or aluminum. In event that it was made of metal, it would be in the general form of a hollow cylinder with the zones |28 intermediate the quadrants |26 and |21 cut out or removed. The distribution of the zones is similar to the disposition of the outer electrodes. If made of plastic, it should be made hollow in the interest of reducing its weight.

The vane is supported in a manner similar to the embodiments of Fig. 10. As can best be seen by Fig. 13, which is an enlarged fragmentary view, the upper end of the vane is provided with a pointed staff |30 whichis pivoted in a jewel |3| disposed in an adjustable bushing |32. A

`similar bearing is provided for a staff Von the other end `as indicated at |33.

Both ends of thecylindrical casing may A be provided with ends of reduced diameters which are lthreaded as shown at and 360and are One way/of overcom-f` the socket '75e is formed of a magnetic material,

and the cover 53 has embedded therein a bar magnet I I9, the polarity of which is as indicated. The magnetic attraction of the magnet for the socket causes the socket to be attracted toward the magnet. This attraction should be such,

however, as not to lift the socket oif of its pivot. Preferably, the surface of the magnet is threaded so that its distance from the socket 15e may be adjustably determined. The magnet position is then adjusted to such a point that should theI device become inverted, it will not adhere to the wall which separates the magnet'from the socket but will return to its position when set upright. The attraction of the magnet will be sufficient to hold the socket upright and prevent, the vane from tilting in the electrode.

The previous embodiments, with the exception of Figs. l and 2, all show an ionization chamber having a more or less disc-like form. By

.reference to Figs. 12 and 13, it will be seen how;

my invention may be incorporated in a form which comprises an elongated cylinder. This enables a convenient pocket size device to be made which may be conveniently carried in the maner of a fountain pen or a pencil.

In this instance, the outer casing |20 is ofi" tubular construction, and, as in the other devices, be made of plastic. vThe vane |2| is also of elongated cylindrical form. The inner surface of the casing is coated with an electrically conductive material in opposite zones as indicated at |22 Vand |23, the coating extending for the length of the casing and in each zone, around the .casing for 90 degree quadrants; the intermediate i-,segg redraw are. @Gered "es indicted..

I to be adjusted as to pressure onthe staffsl :The

top bushing |32 is carried by a disc of metal .|40 which has a central boss |4| that provides a shoulder |42 surrounding the boss and is journalled in the upper end of the case, which is counted-bored at |43. This disc is held in place by a threaded member |45 as shown;

The bushing |32 is providedwith a slot|46 for receiving an adjusting tool. The disc '|40 is provided with a pair of holes |41 for receiving a spanner wrench or other tool by which it may be rotated. The member |45 is likewise provided with spanner wrench holes |48 for screwing the same in place.

The hair spring |50 in this instance is in the form of a flat spring coiled spirally about the staff. The inner end is secured to a pin |5 secured on the vane, and the outer end is secured to a pin |52 carried by the memb^`r |40.

A connection is provided for the outer electrodes |22-l23 by a lead |55 which extends through the wall |20 and is conductively connected at |56 to the coating and is connected to a cntact plate |51 in the outer upper surface of the wall. y The tension of the hair spring is determined by the position of the member |43 which is rotatable in the wall |28. Preferably, a close enough fit is provided so that once adjusted, it will remain in its adjusted position. If desired, a small drop of cement may be applied to the edge of the member taining nut |45 to assure that it remains in a xed position.

Electrical connections to the inner movable electrode is provided through the member |40, the pin |52, hair spring |50 and pin |5|.

Inasmuch as the travel of the vane, due to its small diameter, is relatively small as compared to the other devices, it may be desirable to mold into the chamber wall a lens indicated at |59, whereby indicia on the surface, notshown, is magnified and permits more accurate reading. It will be appreciated that the lens is preferably at the edge of the coated section, particularly where a plastic vane is used. In the caseof the 'metallic vane, however, the indicia will necessarily have to be |43 and its re- 11 138v is removed when Ait is desired to charge the device.. Contact with a source of potential, for charging it, is had through the contact H51 land the. member |43..

The` device operates in the manner previously described.

If desired, the member |43 may be provided with a notch I6!) extending through a predetermined arc around its periphery. A pin 16| in .the wall 120 extends into this notch and the member I 43 may thus be rotated only within the limits of the notch, since the pin engages at. each of the extremities upon the rotation of the member. This aords a convenient manner of decreasing or increasing the tension of the hair spring to carry out the method of use previously described, wherein the hair spring is so adjusted that the vane does not rotate upon discharge of the chamber. The amount of charge can be determined at any time by merely rotating the. member |435 within the limits of the notch 46,0, to increase the tension of the hair ,spring toa predetermined amount. As previously stated itr may be. operatedV with the tension von V`the hair spring to provide the improved action due to the decreasein varea of the chamber as the-,charge decreasesthrough ionization.

Having thus described my invention, I am aware that numerous and extensive departures may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention.

I claim:

1. .A-n ionization chamber having at least two electrodes insulated from each other and arranged to be charged to a potential difference, said electrodes defining a chamber having a predetermined ionizable volume of gas one of said electrodes being suspended for swinging movemen-t, and means for moving said movable electrode to decrease the effective volume of the chamber upon a decrease in potential diierence between f theV electro des.

2.. An ionization chamber including electrodes 'disposedv in spaced relation toeach other, formed to `provide a: predetermined area and providing adenite: electrostatic capacity adapted toreceive an electriccharge, means to vary the electrostaticcapaeity during thedischarge.- of said chamber by a factor of at least two which incl-udesv means for supporting one of said electrodes in movable relation to the other and means for holding said electrodes in a predetermined position in the presence of a4 charge and moving a-t least one ofv said electrodes upon a decrease incharge, at least one electrode being in the form of a conducting surface of a pre- -determined configuration which', when moved relative to the other electrode, decreasesthe electrostatic capacity between the electrodes.

3. AY rad-iation indicating device including an insulatect casing, an electrically conducting` member supported in said. casing, an ionization chamber supported in said casing in electrically attractive relation to said conducting member, and an insulating fluid in said casing in contact with said conductor and. ionization chamber.

4. A radiation indicating device including an insulating` casing having at least one transparent wall, an yelectrically conducting cylinder disposed in saidcasing, an ionization chamber suspended in said cylinder in electrostatic capacitive relation to` said cylinder, said chamber adapted to receivea charge therein and. means to move. said chamber upon a decrease in said charge. 5. A radiation indicating device including an l2 insulated casing, a Atransparent portion for said casing, a cylinder supported in said casing on a vertical axis, an ionization chamber 'supported in said cylinder substantially equi-distant from the wall thereof, said chamber adapted' tol receive a charge and to be electricallyV attracted to the wall of saidcylinder, and means on said chamber to move said chamber upon a decrease of the charge thereon.`

6. A radiation indicating instrument comprising a container, a transparent wall forl said container, a cylinder supported in said container in insulated condition therefrom, an ionization chamber supported in said cylinder and including a hollow member of predetermined #capacity formed with at least two electrodes, said electrodes being electrically attracted to each other through the wall of said cylinder, said chamber adapted to. have saidelectrodes charged to a predetermined potential dilerence, 'and means connected to said member to rotate saldi member uponadecrease inv-said charge during. ioni- .zation.

7.. A radationind'icator comprising a container having at least one transparent wall, a conducting .cylinder supported in. said chamber with its axis in a substantially vertical position, an ionization chamber supported in said cylinder in electrostatic inductive relation to the inner wall thereof andcomprising a pair of substantially semispherical hollow conducting members held in spaced relation to each other by an electrically insulating ring and formingv a hollow sealed ionization chamber, means to charge said conducting members n said ball to a predetermined potential difference, said conducting members being electrically attracted to each-other through their static inductive attraction through said cylinder, and means -to rotate said ball when said charge is dissipated by ionization'of the `air in said ionization chamber.

-8. Aradiation indicator comprising a container having at least one transparent wall, a conducting cylinder supported in. said chamber with its axis in a substantially vertical position, an ionization chamber supported in said cylinder in electro-static inductive relation to the inner wall thereof and comprising a pair of substantially semispherical hollow conducting members held in spaced relation to each otherby an electrical-ly insulating ring and forming a hollow sealed ionization chamber. means to charge said conducting members in said ball to a predetermined potential difference, said conducting members being. electrically attracted to each other through their static inductive attraction through said cylinder, and means to rotate said ball when said charge is dissipated by ionization ofv the air in said ionization chamber, and iiuid means in said container in fluidv contact with said ball.

9. An indicating pocket ionization chamber comprising a sealed casing of insulation material, a stationary electrode supported by the wall of the casing, a movable electrode for said chamber and means for floating said movable electrode in said chamber in spaced relation to the stationary electrode to provide an ionizable space therebetween comprising a liquid in said chamber.

l0. An ionization chamber including asealed housing, a stationaryy electrode disposed in the housing, a movable electrode in cooperating relation with the stationary electrode and means for floating said movable electrode in spaced relation to the stationary electrode tov provide an ionizable spaceV therebetween lcomprising 'a liquid in said chamber and a second means for restraining the movement of the movable electrode.

11. An ionization chamber, a housing, a stationary eelctrode disposed in the housing and formed with a pair of electrically conductive oppositely disposed quadrants, a movable electrode, a pool of mercury in the bottom of said housing, said movable electrode being floated on said pool of mercury and comprising an insulated disc-like member having its upper surface formed with a pair of oppositely disposed quadrants of conductive material and its lower surface in contact with said mercury, a centering pin extending into contact with said movable electrode for holding it centered on said pool of mercury and means for resiliently holding said movable electrode in a predetermined position relative to the stationary electrode.

12. An ionization chamber including a stationary electrode, a movable electrode, said electrodes being disposed in spaced relation to each other and deiining the boundaries of an ionizable space therebetween, means to support said movable electrode for movement into position juxtaposed to the stationary electrode, said movable electrode adapted to move to said position upon charging said electrode to a potential difference, and spring means connected to said movable electrode to rotate it from said position upon a decrease in potential difference.

13. An ionization chamber including a casing, a pair of stationary electrodes disposed in spaced relation in said casing, a movable electrode, said electrodes being disposed in spaced relation to each other and defining the boundaries of an ionizable space therebetween, pivot means to support the movable electrode for movement between the stationary electrodes, means connected to said movable electrode for restraining its movement between the stationary electrodes and means'connected to said movable and stationary electrodes for charging them to a difference in potential, said means including connections to the electrode and a potential source, and means carried by the movable electrode to indicate the state of charge thereon said restraining means arranged to move said movable electrodes upon a decrease in said charge from between thestationary electrodes.

14. An indicating ionization chamber comprising at least one stationary electrode shaped in the form of a pair of diametrically opposed quadrants. a movable electrode formed in the shape of a pair of diametrically opposed quadrants, said electrodes being disposed in spaced relation to each other and defining the boundaries of an ionizable space therebetween, pivot means for supporting the movable electrode adjacent the stationary electrode, said movable electrode being movable by electro-static attraction into alignment with the stationary electrode, and means to move said movable electrode out of alignment with the stationary electrode upon a. decrease in electro-static attraction therebetween and indicator means on said movable electrode for indicating the state of charge thereof.

15. An indicating ionization chamber comprising at least one stationary electrode shaped in the form of a pair of diametrically opposed quadrants, a movable electrode formed in the shape of a pair of diametrically opposed quadrants, pivot means for supporting the movable electrode adjacent the stationary electrode, said movable electrode being movable by electro-static attraction into alignment with the stationary electrode, and magnetic means to move said movable electrode out of alignment with the stationary electrode upon a decrease in electrostatic attraction therebetween and indicator means on said movable electrode for indicating the state of charge thereof.

16. An indicating ionization chamber comprising at least one stationary electrode shaped in the form of a pair of diametrically opposed quadrants, a movable electrode formed in the shape of a pair of diametrically opposed quadrants, said electrodes being disposed in spaced relation to each other and defining the boundaries of an ionizable space therebetween, pivot means for supporting the movable electrode adjacent the stationary electrode, said movable electrode being movable by electro-static attraction into alignment with the stationary electrode, and

spring means to move said movable electrode out of alignment with the stationary electrode upon a decrease in electro-static attraction therebetween and indicator means on said movable electrode for indicating the state of charge thereof.

JOHN A. VICTOREEN.

REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences. are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 500,236 Kennelly June 27, 1893 627,155 Thomson June 20, 1899 1,294,710 Roland Feb. 18, 1919 1,933,063 Kolhorster Oct. 31, 1933 2,022,117 Lauritsen Nov. 26, 1935 2,192,148 Otto Feb. 27, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 319,202 Germany Feb, 27, 1920 3,061 Great Britain June 28, 1882 128,843 Germany Aug. 13, 1901 400,653 Great Britain Oct. 30, 1933 405,750 France Nov. 23, 1909 OTHER REFERENCES Strong, Procedures in Experimental Physics, Prentice Hall, New York, Oct. 1938, pgs. 232-233, pgs; 245-248. 

